Christmas - the beginning of a war

Christmas is the beginning of a war on death. 

Christmas is the story of war - the beginning of a victory - where Jesus snuck in the back door to make a beach-head landing in the victory over death. ~ from yesterday's sermon

All of this gives me hope - hope that even in the darkness and evil so pointedly on display in our world today, the battle is not lost - no, it is being waged and we know the ending: the King who stealthy came as a babe will soon return to put all evil under His feet - for eternity - and call us Home.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ, our Saviour
Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

This time laste year, part 17

This was the last day of the tour. The day started with an exquisite sunrise over the Sea of Galilee. Our church did a series of spectacular baptisms in the Jordan River - and they were all very cold afterward! We then went to Bet Sher'arim, the cemetery where famous writers of the Talmud are buried. We then went up to Mount Carmel and then to Ceasaria Maritima. From there, we headed south to Tel Aviv where we ended our journey over wine and fellowship.

I think we were all glad to be heading home, but with the knowledge that we would be missing this place like it was our own home and a place we would all want to come back to.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 16

Boat ride on the Galilee. Beach of Peter's Restoration. Capernaum. Tel Dan. Cesarai Philippi. Golan Heights.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 15

We had another early morning rise, so we could get up to the Temple Mount before heading out of Jerusalem. From there we started north, to the Tel Megiddo overlooking the valley where the battle of Armageddon will be fought. Then we traveled up to Mount Arbel where we had stunning views of the Sea of Galilee below. We ended the day at the "Jesus Boat" museum and I did some bird watching in the waning light overlooking the sea.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 14

This was our "free day" on the trip, where no tours were planned and we could explore where we wanted and at our own pace. We started the day at Nona's Chocolate for breakfast, then headed toward David's City, for a tour there. On our way, we were caught up in a Bar Mitzvah celebration, with singing, dancing, and trumpet playing. It was marvelous. On the tour of the City of David, we were able to see the latest archeological excavations of the original Jerusalem, during King David's day. We ended the tour at the Pool of Shalom. From there we took a taxi back up the hill, had a wonderful Italian dinner, then ended the day at the Messianic Jewish congregation. A fabulous day.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6

This time last year, part 13

This was a heavy day, as we spend the better part of it at the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem. No words can describe that place and the dark history it displays. Earlier in the morning before heading to the museum, we went to the Southern Steps of the Old City, where the pilgrims would come up to the temple area and enter the Temple Mount. This may have been my favorite place in the Old City. We ended the day in the Hurva Square in the Jewish Quarter, and were reminded of the stark contrast between the message of death of the Holocaust and the picture of life, Jewish life, abundantly displayed in the square. 

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!
May they be secure who love you!
Psalm 122:6